Feeler-motion for looms.



E. s. STIMPSON. FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1!, I916.

Patented Oct. 29, 1918 Arnmw et 'rr snares earner EDWARD S. STIMPSON, F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, vASSIlZGN't'I-Et, BY TEESETE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO DRAPER CORPORATION, OF HOPEIDALE, MASSAGHUSE' 95%, A, GOBPQI'LA- TION OF MAINE.

FEELER-MOTION FOR LO OMS;

Specification of Letters Yatent. p a w gumb 2g jpgjg Application filed October 11, 191G.l Serial No. 125,092.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. S'nMrsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementin Feeler-lVlotions for Looms,

of which'the following dtbSQI'lPUOIl, in connection with thea'ccompanylng drawings, is a. specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to feeler motions for looms, whereby, when the filling in the shuttle becomes sub stantially exhausted, a train of mechanismv is caused to be actuated to eilect a change in the condition of the loom.

The change in the condition or operation of-the loom may be the. stoppage thereof, or, as is more frequently the case, a fresh supply of filling may be automatically furnished. Looms containing feeler motions to efi'ect the desired .results are commonly known as ffeeler looms, and where replenishment of filling is effected, it may be done either by changin the nearly exhausted filling carrier or bob in in the shuttle for another having a working supply of fill ng wound thereon, or by changing the shuttle for another containing a working supply of filling.

' Ordinarily,theteeler 1s arranged to enter the shuttle and engage the filling, and to be moved front ward from its full rearward feelingposition oneach 'detectlng beat, but this recurring action is injurlous to the filling. This is particularly so in that type of feeler motion known asthe' side-swipe feeler, and is due to the fact that the feeler member is so arranged that on each detecting beat it has a tendency to move longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion 1s reached, whereupon, the filling is no longer able to hold the feeler member and it moves longitudinally of theshuttle to initiate filling replenishment. r

in important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of means for holding the feeler member frontward of its rear feeling position so that it may engage the filling during only a small part of the normal feeling action on a detecting beat,

and continue to be so held until the feeler whereupon it is permitted to move rearwardly into full feeling position. and per form its side swipe feeling operations. In this aspect of the invention, the ,feeler member has a dual function,a measuring function to measure the diameter or'amount of the filling in the shuttle, and upon the detection of a: predetermineddiameter of filling, to move into position to perform its side-swipe feeling function and control of the replenishing operation.

While perijorming its measuring function, it is important that the feeler member shall not move or tend to move longitudinally of the shuttle, because this would injuriously affect the filling at a time when any such movement or tendency to such movement is functionally useless. Another important feature of the invention, therefore, consists of means for locking the feeler member from movement longitudinally of the shuttle while it is perforating its measuring func tion.

In that form of side-swipe teeler where means are employed for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle upon substan-- tial exhaustion of filling, some stress is liable to be imparted to the feelcr in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle due to the action of said means when the feeler itself is held from such movement. A further im" 15ortant'feature of the invention, therefore, consists in means which permits the front or forward portion of the teeler to move laterally under such conditions.

In addition to the above, other important features of the invention willv be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, one

good practical form thereof, and then the various fGEllIllRfiSOf the invention will be definitely set forth by the claims.

The term substzintial exhaustion is herein used in its commonly-accepted sense, meaning thereby, that when the ultimate function of the exhaustion-indicating mech 'anism is performed, there will still remain a small portion of filling in the filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle.

In the drawings:- Figure l is a perspective View showing form its detecting, function.

portion ofthe loom frame and the feeler nmtion connected therewith, and e :lrai! nicntni v portion of the shuttle-box and shuttle;

' Fi 2 is a )hin view of the feeler mo- 'tion detached and having the cover plate renotion of the side-swipe fecler when the fill ing has'become substantially exhausted.

The loom lrnme 1, only part 01 which is shown in the drawings, may he of any usual character, and is illustrated as being provided with the usual shippe stand in the slot 3 of which the shipper l is movable.

The shuttle-box 5 carried by the usuel levy and theshuttle (3 which is :i iepted to hold.

the filling carrier 7 and its load of filling 8 are each provided with the usual slot in the side walls thereof through which the ieeier member may pass on n detecting beat to perlhe feeler member is of that type usually known in the art as the sideswipe iieele', that is, the :feeler moves in n direction longitudiunll oi? the shuttle when substantial exhr-iustion oi filling reached in order to initiate the oporation of n train ol? mechanism for effecting A change in the loom conditiom as for instance, to initiate filling replenish!nenl'. The feelcr member is supported as usual in front of the lay and extends reurwnrdlzv. lt is normally under the influence of :1 light springiwhich tends to push. it reurwirdly.

It is usual in the side-swipe type of ieeler to exert upon the :t'eeler member on each detecting beat, a tendency to move in 21 direction lougituiiliually of the shuttle when the en gaging end of the feeler is in contact either with thefilling or the filling cnrrier in the shuttle; and if the teele-r member be in its full rearward position on n detecting heel; when a working; ipply of: iii" 3; is present inv the shuttle, the wound D'HItnS o causing injury to the filling in the shuttle. As 21. matter of fact, it is not necessary for the feeler member to perform its side-swipe feeling function with the consequent injurif ous efiect upon the yarn so long as a full Working supply of filling is. present; but this function may Well be suspended during the greater part of the wezivinp, operation, or

until the filling in the shutt c approaches a.

condition of substantial exhaustion. There fore, one of the purposes in? the present invention is to provhle ineens whereby the ii filling is called upon to resist the tendency to side. movement of the iieelcr member, thereby gitnclina' movement; bet on substantiallyexhausted. and not able to weenie in the shuttle is approaching the critical stage when filling replenishment is desired,

- and thereupon have its sideswipe detecting function restored.

.l lzztei'idin from the loom lirmne and reii'f which and a cap .or cover piece 11, the feeler' member is mounted for movement toward and item the front of the loom and longitudnnilly of the shuttle. 'lhe support 10 and cover 11 ere each provided with ii slotted flange 12 held together by a suitable meanssnch {is the screw 13 and adjustebly secured by e bolt H to the bracket 9 or other coir venicnt sustaining means.

'lt is desirable in the feeler type of looms, that the fecler member shul'l'huve yieldingmovement toward the front of the looni when it is engaged by the filling; or carrier in the shuttle on a detecting beat; :1 nd to this end, various forms of mechanism will suggest themselvcs'to those skilled in the art. In the present instance of the invention, however, the feeler member 115 is mounted upon a carrier 18 with respect to which it is movable longitudimilly, that is toward and from the front of the loom. To this end,

v the carrier 16 has the guiding-lugs 1i end 18 I which form suitable guideways for guiding the feeler member 15. Rising from the cov 3' plate 11 is the arm 19 carrying a spring 20, the doWn vcrdlyextending end 21 of which is adapted to engage thefeeler member 15 and normally tend to move it in a direction toward the rear of the loom. In the present instance of the invention, the downfwardly-extending end. 21 of the spring engages an opening 22 and normally acts to move the feeler member ireer va'rdly, the construction being such that on" each detecting heat the i eeler member 15 may be moved frontwerdly. v

The feeler memher 15 is provided Witha roughened, toothed, or serrated feeling end ,93-which is adapted to engage the filling or incthe, filling carrier in the shuttle, {the construction being such that should the feeler member 15 he in feeling position, end free to move longitudinally of the shuttle, it will on at detecting beat when a working supph of filling is present, he held from such ion should the filling the latch 52 operates in the enlarged portion prevent movement of the fceler longitudinally of the shuttle .under the impulse of its actuating means, the feeler member will ll'lOVE, and by such movement initiate filling replenishn'ient, as will presently appear.

To prevent injurious effect upon the filling that is liable to occurupon the intermittent engagement of the feeler member therewith,

while a working supply is present. and said feeler member is free to move longitudinally of the shuttle under its actuating means, the present invention contemplates means for holding the feeler member frontward of its rear or feeling position so long as a working supply of filling is present and confine the feeler niemberto a measuring function, such that when the fecler member indicates that a predetermined diameter of filling has been reached, the said means will free the feeler member to move into its full rearward feeling position and thereafter act as a sideswipe feeler. In the present instance of the invention, the feeler member 15 has pivotally mounted thereon at 24:, a locking device comprising a frontwardly-extending arm 25 having a shoulder 26 adapted to engage in front of a latch 27 carried by the feeler stand. A spring 28 normally acts to hold the front end portion of the arm 25 with the shoulder 26 in looking engagement with the latch 27, the construction being such that when the parts are positioned as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the feeler member 15 will be locked in a frontward position.

When the feeler is thus locked in frontward position, an important feature contemplates that it shall be confined to a measuring function, that is, that it shall entei the shuttle on each detecting beat and detect the diameter of the filling; and a further feature of the invention in this respect contemplates that when the feeler member 15 has detected a predetermined diameter of filling, that it shallbe released to perform its side-swipe function. p

In the presentinstance of the invention, these results are carried into effect by pro vi'ding the feeler member 15 with the longitudinal slot 29 having an enlarged portion 30 in which slot the downturncd end 31' of the latch 27 is adapted to operate, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When the feeler member 15 is locked in frontvvard position, the downturned end of the latch 27 is engaged by the narrow portion 29 of the slot, but when the feeler member returns to its full rearward and feeling position, the downturned end of 30 of the slot.

The locking device heretofore described as pivoted at 2i, has a partt'n' projection 33 extending upwardly, and at one side thereof is ada )tcd to be struclt'hy either the front wall of the shuttle-box or the wall of the shuttle apparent that when the feeler member 15 is as itself, these. being equivalent means, in order locked in its front position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be prevented from movement longitudinally of the shuttle and will act as a measuring feeler until as the diameter of the filling in the shuttle becomes less and less, the part or projection 33 of the locking device will be struck by a rigid portion carried by the lay and trip the locking device from its holding relation with the late-i127, thereb permitting the feeler member to move backward to its full feeling position. At this time the downturned end 31 of the latch 27 is in the enlarged portion 30 of the slot in the feeler member, thereby freeing the ,feeler member to its side-swipe function.

The latch 27 is preferably pivoted to the base or support 10, as at 34, and is normally under the influence of a light spring 35, a stop 36 on the. under surface of the cover l1, Fig. 3, acting to prevent contraclockwise movement of the latch under the impulse of the spring and serving to hold it in proper lock-latching position. This yielding action of the latch 27 is desirable, because when the feeler member 15 is performing its sideswipe function, should the shuttle fail to be properly positioned in the box, the feeler member 15 may strike the wall of the shuttle, causing the downturned end of the latch 27 to be engaged in frontof the shoulder 36 of the feeler member, and the yielding action of the latch will permit the latch to more clockwise as the feeler member moves frontward and thereby prevent breakage.

When the feeler member 15 is released from its holding relation with the latch 27 and the fecler member is moved backward into the full feeling position, the downturned end of the latch 27 will ride along the frontwardlyeXtending edge 37 of the arm 25, as indicated in Fig. 3. At this time, if sufficient filling is present in the shuttle to continue the weaving operation, before reaching the critical point, the roughened or serrated end portion 23 of the feeler member will engage the-filling on a detecting heat and hold the end of the feeler member from movement longitudinally of the shuttle; and when the filling has reached substantial exhaustion, and replenishment is desired, the roughened or serrated endyportion 23 of the feeler member will no longer be held from movement longitudinally of the shuttle as the lay beats up and filling replenishmcnt will be effected through suitable connections with the-fecler member, will presently appear.

.la the feeler motion of the type illustrated,

.10 between which and a guiding stand 11 is interposed a spring -12, the action thereof normally tending to force the rod 39 cnd'wise to the left, Fig. l, and coi-isequently movethe feeler carrier and fecler member. The rod 15 39 has connected thereto at 13, one arm of a bell crank lever pivoted at'l-l to the guide stand 41., the other arm Q5 of said bell crank underlying an actuator 46 pivoted at t? to an arm d8 rising from the transverse or change shaft 49, substantially as more fully described in the prior application, Serial No. 78,586, filed 1 ebruary 16, 1916.

As set forth in said prior application, the actuator 4&6 has an end portion 50, adapted to be engaged by a part 51mounted'on the weft hammer-or oamfollowor, or an arm se cured thereto. The lug or flange 52 and its cooperative relation with the part 51 on the Wefthammer or cam follower may be sub. -stantially as fully described in said prior ap-V plication'. H P

During the operation of the loom, when a full Working supply of filling is present in "the shuttle, the feeler member will. be locked 85 in-ia' frontward position, and vat such times will enter the'shuttle on each detecting beat and detect the condition of the filling therein.v At such. times, the feeler member 15 is preferably prevented from side-swipe tend- 40 ency. As hereinbefore described, the pres ent instance of the invention shows the feeler member 15 mounted upon the tleeler carrier .16 for movement toward and'ifrom the front of the loom,- and to provide for the side to swipe movement of the feeler under the in" fiuence of'its actuating means, such as the spring 42, the :Eeelcr carrier is mounted forunovemcnt longitudinally of the smtt-le. This feature of the invention may be vari- W ousl contrived, but in the present instance, the celer carrier 16 is connected to the fecler stand or support 10 by a link 53, one end of which is pivoted to the carrier 16 at 54 and the other end of the feeler stand or support 55 10 at 55, suitable stops 56 l'ieiu gprovided on the front portion of the fecler stand or support 10 to liinit the side movement of the front end portion of the carrier, and stops 5? at the rear portion of the feeler stand to 0 limit the side movement of the rear portion ofthe carrier, the construction being such, that should the feeler member detect substantial exhaustionof filling on a detecting beat after it has been unlocked, the feeler carrier and :Eeeler member may be given a a was movement longitudinally oil the shuttle by the actuating means, such as the spring 42, to effect replenishmentof filling. The-lab oral movement per nitted the front end portion of the. carrier 16 by the steps 56 is not suliicient to position the parts for replenishment of filling, but when the feoler detects, substantial exhaustion of filling and its rear end is moved longitudinally it the shuttle, the increased movement thudatl'orded enf'm ables the parts to initiate replenislnnent of filling. The lateral movement of the car tier Y 16 may be e'fi'ected first at its front end and then at its rear end on substantial enhaus tion of filling, or such movements may be simultaneous, as will be readily apparent.

Whenthe filling has become substantially exhausted and thefecler member has indicated or initiated a change of f lling, it' is desirable that the feeler member be returned to its frontwar'd or locked position and resumo its measuring function. Tot-his end, after the filling-has been changed, and on the detecting beat --following such change, the

feeler member 15 enga es the full Killing so i carrier and is moved so ciently frontward thereby to cause-the shoulder 26 of the arm 25 to engage in "front of the latch 27, and therea liter the parts willremainin this position, and the feeler member will act as a measuring feeler until it detects a predetermined condition of the filling; in the shuttle whereupon it Will be freed to resume its full rearward feeling position as a sideswipe The stop 57 -may have an inclined portion 60 adapted to be engaged by a reversely inclined portion 61 on the feeler' member to re turn the feels; member to the right, 2, after a side-stripe "feeler action. am?

What is claimed is;--

[1. In a fceler motion for looms; the com;

bination of a feeler member, means normally acting" to move the feeler member, 7 rearwardly into full feeling position, means no for locking the :t'eeler member in a front- Ward position in opposition to said normally acting means, to enter the shuttle and on gage the filling on each detecting beat and 1 a part carried by the locking means adapted no to be engaged by a part carried. by the"iay when the feelcr member detects a predeter mined diameter of filling to unlock the :t'eeler member and permit it to move rear- 7 wardly to full feeling position prior to sub 12o stantial, exhaustion of the filling in response to the normally acting means,

2. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler member'movablo in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when 1.2a

the filling is substantially exhausted to st feet replenishment of filling, a lock to hold the feeler member frontward from .tull feeb ing position and permit the fceler to enter the shuttle and engage the filling; oneach use Lee detecting beat, and a part connected to the lock and adapted to be engaged by a rigid part on the lay prior to complete exhaustlon of filling to trip the lock and permit the feeler to move to feeling position, and means for. effecting movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when substantial exhaustion of filling is reached. r

3. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a side-swipe feeler member, yielding means normally acting to move the feeler member rearwardly to feeling position, means acting upon the feeler member to impart its side-swipe movement longitudinally of the shuttle, locking means for holding the feeler member frontward from full feeling position and from side-swipe movement and permitting the feeler member to enter the shuttle and engage the filling on each detecting beat, and a part carried by the locking means and engaged by the shuttle on a detecting heat When the {color member indicates that the filling approaches substantial exhaustion to free the feeler member to both of said movements.

4. In a teeler motion for looms, the com bination of a feeler member, a lock for. hold- .ing the feeler member in a fl-outward position until the filling approaches substantial exhaustion and adapted to be struck by a part on the lay in front of'the filling as the lay beats up to free the feeler member when the latter enters the shuttle a predetermined amount, and means for moving the feeler member longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted.

5. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a side-swipe feeler member, means for moving the 'li'eeler member rearwardly to feeling position, means for locking the feeler member frontward of its feelsubstantial exhaustion and for then freeing the feeler member that it may move to full ing position to permit the feelermember to detect the diameter of the filling in the shuttle, means for locking the feeler member from side-swipe movement until the ieeler member indicates the approach of feeling position and on substantial exhaustion of the filling move longitudinally of the shuttle.

6. A feeler motion for looms, comprising,

in combination, a feeler member movable toward and from the front of the loom to measure the diameter of filling in the shuttle and movable longitudinally ofthe shuttle to efiect filling replenishment, means for locking the feeler member from movement longitudinally of the shuttle and in a frontward position until it detects a predetermined diameter of filling prior to substantial exhaustion and .then freem'g it to movement rearward and longitudinally of. the

shuttle. v

7. A feeler motion [for 1001118, comprising,

are

in combination, a teeler member having two and the other in a difierent direction to effeet a change in the loom operation when the filling is substantially exhausted, means for preventingmovement of the feelcr memher to efiect a change in the loom operation until the feeler member detects a predetermined condition of the filling prior to substantial exhaustion and thereupon to tree. the feeler member to such movement, and means connected to the feeler member to give the feeler member such movement when the filling reaches substantial exhaustion.

8. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a fee'ler member having two detecting movements, one for detecting the diameter of the filling in the shuttle and the .otherlongitudinally of the huttle to eitect a change of filling, means for confining the feeler member to' the first of these move ments until it detects a predetermined diameter of filling and then 'freeing it to the second of these movements, means for moving the feeler member longitudinally of the shuttle to initiate a change of filling when it detects substantial exhaustion, and connections between the iieeler member and said means.

9. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler member adapted to be struck by the filling in the shuttle on each detecting beat, means for limiting the rearward movement of the feeler member until the filling in the shuttle approaches substantial exhaustion and then permitting further rearward movement of the feeler member, and means operative when the feeler member is permitted such further rearward movement to move the feeler member longitudinally of the shuttle should the filling be substantially exhausted.

10. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler member to feel for the filling in the shuttle on each detecting beat and having a longitudinal and a side-swipe movement, a lock for limiting the longitudinal movement of the feeler member until the;

filling is used up to a'predetermined degree? prior to substantial exhaustion, means for tripping the lock when the feeler member detects that a predetermined diameter of filling in the shuttle has been reached, means for locking the feeler members from sideswipe movement longitudinally of the shuttle until the said lock is tripped, and-means for giving the feeler member its side-swipe movement longitudinally of the shuttle when ber in a frontward position and. aclaptcrl to be struck by a part movable with the layto tri thelocking member prior to subst'en tialexhaustion of filling-thatthe feeler member may move to a rearward position, and

, means for moving the feeler member long]- tudinally of the shuttle when released; by, the locking-member and the filling is substantially exhausted.

12. A l eeler motion for looms, connprising, in combination, a feeler member to enter the shuttle on each dctectin beat and feel for the filling, a locking device for limiting the distance that the feeler member may enter the shuttle during the presence of a WOllfllig I supply of filling, end adapted. to be tripped,

topermit the feeler member to move farther into the shuttle when the filling approaches substantial exhaustion, and means for moving the feeler member in a direction long1-. tudinally of the shuttle when the filling reaches substantial exhaustion. I 13. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combii'iation, e, fecler member to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and feel for the filling, a lockiiig device forlimiting the distance that the feeler member may enter the shuttle during the presence of a Working supply of filling, connections between the feeler member and; lockingdevice to cause the latter to be set by frontwarol movement of the feeler member clue to the presence oi": a

full filling carrierafter a replenishing operation, and a part connected to the locking device to be engaged by a part on the lay when the filling approaches substantial exhaustion to trip the lock, and means for mea .by contact with the shuttle wvhenthe filling approaches but before it reaches substantial exhaustion" to permit the feeler to move reel; wardly to full ,t'celing position.

15. A feeler motion for looms, com rising, in combination, a feeler member to cell for the filling in the shuttle, a lock pivotally mounted on the feeler membene letcb rifle, ted to be engaged. by the look when the fee or mechanism is moved Vfrontvvarcl by e. full carrier in the shuttle on av detecting beat to hold the feeler member frontwercl, said look having a part to be engaged by the shuttle wall to trip the lock enrl ermit the fceler member to move reerwer ly prior tosuib.

stantial exhaustion'of the filling. I

16. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, 1n combination, a side-swipe feslor member --l."ccler enrl of the feslcr member is engaged bodily laterally when the lilling engagmg or the {color member to move leterelly due to t e action of said moving means when the with a Working; supply of filling.

17. in a feelcr motion for looms, the combinationo'l' a feelcr member having two cletecting' increments, one toward and rom' the shuttle to measure or detect the diameter of the filling in the shuttle and the other longitudinally oi theshiittlc to effect change in '80 filling, a lock'for locking the :Eeeler member in frontward position and preventing move ment of the .fce lcr member longitudinally of the shuttle until the feeler member detects a precletermlned diameter of filling and then 8 I freeing the feeler member that it may move real-weirdly to full feeling position and be moved longitudiimlly of the shuttle when the filling becomes substantially exhausted, I and means tending to move the t'eeler memher longitudinally ofthe shuttle on each cletecting beat.

18. In a fceler motion, for looms, the combination of a feeler member, means tending to move the feeler member in a lateral direction on a detecting beat and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler memberwith the filling until substantial exhaustion isfreaohed, and means permitting the front endportion of the feeler memberto moveleterally-imcler the action of said moving means when the rear end of the feeler member is helzl from lateral movement by the fiilin 19. In a foeler motion for looms, the com-- bination of a feeler meil'iber, means tending to move the feeler member in a lateral dli motion on a detecting beet and prevented from efi'ecting such movement by engagement of the feeler member iiith the-filling until substantial exheustionis reached, it support for the ,lr'eelcr membenzantl a loose connection between the feeler member and support to perihit the i'eeler memberto move end of the feeler member'fails to be held from lateral movement by the filling.

' 20. In a feeler motion for looms, the com-- bin" ion of e Eeeler member, a laterally movable carrier on which it mounted, moons tenclingi; to more the. eerrier anol feeler memher in a lateral ii'ir'eetion on e. deteeting beat and to be pr,. ,;entecl from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler memberhith the filling? until substantial exhaustion thereof, a support for the carrier and connections between the carrier and support permitting the carrier to move bodily laterally when the feelcr member fails to be held from laterel movement by the filling.

eeann 21; In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler member having two detecting movements, one for measuring or detecting the diameter of the filling in the a shuttle and the other longitudinally of the shuttle to effect change oi: filling, a lock for holding the feeler member in a-frontward position and confining the feeler member to the measuring movement until a predeten, mined diameter of filling is detected by the feeler, a member connected to the lock to be struck by a part carried by the lay to trip' "the look and free the feeler to the second of its movements that it may initiate replenishment When the filling; is substantially exhausted.

22. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler member movable I longitudinally of the shuttle and toward and diameter of filling on each detecting beat,

means acting when the feeler member 18 locked in frontward position to lock it from movement longitudinally of the shuttle, and freeing the feeler member to movement longitudinally of the shuttle when the locking means permits rearward movement of the feeler member to full feeling position, and means for tripping the locking means when the filling in the shuttle reaches a predetermined diameter.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON. 

